Have not shot the 50 but the 85L is pure magic. I like tight crops and being able to control the depth of field. At 1.2 or 1.4 at 85mm...well talk about target isolation. You would have to get pretty close with the 50 to achieve the same results. Candids are great since you don't have to get right in someone's face to get great separation.

I was a naysayer of the 85L for a long time, until I tried it. The 1.8 is a fine lens but it is not the L.

Have not shot the 50 but the 85L is pure magic. I like tight crops and being able to control the depth of field. At 1.2 or 1.4 at 85mm...well talk about target isolation. You would have to get pretty close with the 50 to achieve the same results. Candids are great since you don't have to get right in someone's face to get great separation.

I was a naysayer of the 85L for a long time, until I tried it. The 1.8 is a fine lens but it is not the L.